I'd like to say I'm going to do a bunch of worthy stuff but in reality I'm going to sit in my pants watching DVDs for nearly all of it. As it's the first time off I've had since last Christmas I don't actually have the energy to do anything else.

like get carpets, the garden and the fireplace finally sorted. Also try and see as much of the local area as possible, lots of daytrips out when it is quiet. So towns within a couple of hours drive, that kind of thing. Nice walks in the countryside. Probably not the best in winter though.

I never use my holiday. When I do, I take a week off and think it's going to be ace. Sat around in my pants, reading, playing games, going out for a nice walk around Sherwood to pick up ingredients then cooking amazing meals.

Manager trusts staff member to consider own workload when making a request for 2+ weeks of holiday. Manager looks at schedules and calendars and decides whether or not the staff member's request is reasonable. If not - declined. If so - rubber stamped and taxied immediately to the airport.

Sounds like your gang have an unhealthy reliance on you Chintz. More their problem than yours, trust me.

and changed jobs, I decided to take a few months off. Next time I move jobs I'm going to do the same, it was great.

I lazed about, partied a fair bit, visited friends, worked on my book and then went travelling in south America for 2 months. Then came back, lazed about, partied a fair bit, visited friends, worked on my book. I recommend this highly.